I just finished reading a juvenile by Lewis Buzbee called Steinbeck's Ghost, in which he reminded me all over again how much I love libraries, books, and John Steinbeck (not necessarily in that order). Buzbee captures that feel of how an author can send you to another world, and Steinbeck was especially good at this. I'm a Steinbeck fan from way back, although I have only read about half of his books. One that I missed is The Pastures of Heaven, which plays an important role in Buzbee's book, and now I simply must go find a copy of it and read it. In fact Buzbee made me want to go back and read several favorite books, including L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time. (L'Engle is another of my favorite children's authors.)
Buzbee also captures that special atmosphere that only a library can offer. Libraries have figured largely in my own life, and I would hate to consider the shrunken world of a city without at least one branch. An afternoon spent in a library is different from a couple of hours spent browsing in a book store, although the latter is one of my addictions as well (a reason I'm eager to read another Buzbee book: The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop.)
Books. Libraries. Reading is one of the great pleasures in life. And, when you are anywhere near a libary, it costs nothing at all to kick back with a good book and be transported. And any book by Steinbeck takes you on a wonderful journey.
Thank you, Lewis Buzbee, for reminding me of all of the above, as well as providing a wonderful journey of your own.
I even love the smell of books, isn't that weird? I can't imagine a life without the library!
ReplyDeleteI do too! I was almost disappointed when our library modernized and the old catalogue drawers disappeared. Of course, I quickly came to appreciate the ease of the computer, but, still, the computer will never smell so reminiscent!
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